The Neuroscience of Pain
Presented by Adriaan Louw
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In the last 20 to 30 years, there has been a significant increase in the biological and physiological understanding of a human pain experience. It is now well understood that many biological and physiological processes are key elements in pain, especially persistent pain. This is an introductory course for athletic trainers, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, and other licensed medical providers in inpatient, outpatient, home health, and school settings. Clinicians completing this course will develop an understanding of the latest neuroscience view of a human pain experience, allowing them to recognize various key elements of several types of persistent pain, including ongoing pain, spreading pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia.
Meet your instructor
Adriaan Louw
Adriaan earned his undergraduate degree, master’s degree, and PhD in physiotherapy from Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa. He is an adjunct faculty member at St. Ambrose University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, teaching pain science. Adriaan has taught throughout the US and internationally for 25…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Pain: Input Mechanisms
This chapter will discuss the role of the peripheral and central nervous systems in the pain experience. Students will learn about nociception, pain versus injury, and ion channel expression and development.
2. Pain Processing Mechanisms
This chapter will cover central sensitization, including nociplastic changes seen in the brain in patients who have persistent pain. It will also discuss the clinical presentation of central sensitization, including the influence of the environment on the pain experience.
3. Clinician Perspective: Pain Neuromatrix
This chapter will discuss the pain neuromatrix in very practical terms: the evolution of the pain neuromatrix, the limitations of the pain neuromatrix, and, most importantly, implications for the clinician. Personal examples will be shared to enable learners to apply concepts immediately to their clinical practice.
4. Pain: Output Mechanisms
This chapter will discuss the mechanisms of stress biology and pain. Endogenous analgesia inhibition and facilitation, as well as the implications of the placebo effect, will be covered.
